Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Monster Mania 2017 Hunt Valley Review
Wow, this year’s massive turnout for Monster Mania Con 2017 (38) in Hunt Valley, Maryland. This was by far the largest attendance I have ever seen. I went to my first Horror Convention in Hunt Valley in 2005 and have been a regular of MMC at Hunt Valley since 2012.
I live 15 minutes north of Hunt Valley, so I always attend Monster Mania. I prefer it to be in October, with Halloween being the same month; just putting that out there.
I recently attended Monster Mania 2017 in Hunt Valley, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast! This monstrous extravaganza exceeded all my expectations and left me with memories that will haunt—uh, I mean, linger in my mind forever.
The event boasted a diverse array of monstrous delights. From spine-chilling horror movie screenings to spine-tingling haunted house experiences, Monster Mania had it all.
The attention to detail in the haunted houses was so impressive that I found myself questioning whether the creatures were real or just incredibly convincing actors.
The highlight of the event was the Monster Mash Bash—a ghastly dance party where attendees could let loose with their favorite creatures of the night.
The DJ played a killer playlist that had everyone howling with delight. I even spotted Frankenstein and the Mummy showing off their dance moves on the dance floor!
One of the standout features was the Monster Market, where you could shop for creepy and cool merchandise. From eerie artwork to monster-themed trinkets, I couldn’t resist picking up a few souvenirs to commemorate the night.
The celebrity appearances were monstrous in their own right. Meeting iconic horror movie stars in person was a dream come true for any fan of the genre.
I managed to snag autographs from some of my favorite horror legends, and they were incredibly friendly and accommodating.
Monster Mania 38 (2017)
At Monster-Mania, there is such an eclectic range of people attending. You have parents and their kids, and people dressed up in costume, regular folks, etc.
There were a ton of vendors set up selling their merchandise. Two levels of the hotel are used for MMC. This was also the first year I saw a Police Officer at the Convention. He was cool, though, talking with folks and admiring the scenery.
The vibe at Monster Mania horror Con in Hunt Valley is laid back. I talked with one of the staff members for MMC, and she told me MMC in Cherry Hill, NJ, is way more intense.
Guests at Monster-Mania 2017 Convention (38)
- Rose McGowan– Scream, Phantoms, Charmed
- Tobin Bell – “Jigsaw” Saw Film Series
- Dina Meyer – Saw, The Evil Within
- Betsy Russell – Saw, The smoking hot girl Jordan in the 80s classic movie – Private School.
- Wilford Brimley – The Thing, Cocoon,
- Malcolm McDowell – Clockwork Orange, Rob Zombie’s Halloween 1-2,
- Michael Biehn – Reese from Terminator, Hicks from Aliens,
- Adrienne Barbeau – The Fog, Escape from New York, Creepshow, Swamp Thing
- Curtis Armstrong – Booger – Revenge of the Nerds, Metatron – Supernatural,
- Dean Cain – Lois and Clark – The New Adventures of Superman, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
- Doug Bradley – Pinhead – Hellraiser movie Series,
- C.J Graham – Jason Vorhees, Friday the 13th pt.6 – Jason Lives,
- Andrew Divoff – Wishmaster, The Hunt for Red October,
- Ashley Laurence – Hellraiser,
- Alex Vincent – Andy Barclay, Child’s Play,
Meeting the Stars
This year there were three separate areas to meet the stars and get an autograph and pic. There were two smaller rooms upstairs and one large room downstairs.
In one room upstairs, Malcolm McDowell and Rose McGowan were signing. Next to that room were Tobin Bell, Dina Meyer, Betsy Russell, and Michael Biehn, and downstairs was everyone else.
There was a huge line to get into the ‘Saw Room,’ so I skipped and went downstairs.
Curtis Armstrong
The first pic and signed picture were with one of my all-time favorite 80s actors – Mr. Curtis Armstrong. Booger from Revenge of the Nerds and Charles DeMar, John Cusack’s chemically altered buddy in one of my favorite 80s movies – Better off Dead.
One of my favorite scenes from Better off Dead is when Charles DeMar is on the ski slope with John Cusack’s character, snorting snow off his top hat. The classic line was, “This is pure snow; it’s everywhere.”
I mentioned that line to him while he signed the photo for me. Mr. Armstrong signed my glossy photo, which is that scene he signed with, “This is pure snow.”
Curtis Armstrong was very kind and surprisingly very reserved. It was a pleasure to meet him.
He also played Metatron on one of my favorite T.V. shows – Supernatural. So when
Adrienne Barbeau
At the following table was Adrienne Barbeau. A classic movie actress, including 80s horror movies, is one of my favorites. She couldn’t have been any cuter or sweeter if she had tried. And she still ‘got it,’ if you know what I mean.
I loved Adrienne’s character in many movies, especially Swamp Thing and Creepshow.
Last but not least, I had to get a photo with Dean Cain.
I mentioned to Dean’s assistant that my son is an actor and has had starring roles. My son and I were waiting in line to pick out a glossy picture to get autographed.
I even mentioned that my son could sing as well.
Dean interrupted, jokingly, of course, and said that he couldn’t sing at all.
My son decided to get in on the photo, and Dean’s other assistant took at least a dozen pictures with my camera. Dean was as friendly and personal as anyone could be. It was a pleasure meeting him, as well.
The Vendor’s
I enjoy viewing all the Horror Merchandise as much as I do meeting celebrities. I’ve never bought anything yet, but I will always have a chance. I usually walk around the vendor tables several times in case I missed something.
Q & A Sessions @ Monster Mania
My favorite part of MMC is the Q & A panel. Every hour, either one or more guests sit at a table hosted by either Rob Dimension or the MMC founder Dave Hagan.
This year, I noticed with the Q and A that the meeting room used was utterly packed. I watched and listened to Michael Biehn and his wife, Jennifer Blanc. Also, Wilford Brimley – (Diabeetus), Rose McGowan, The Saw Reunion, and The Hellraiser reunion.
I recall attending a Q&A for MMC a few years back, and the room had an excess of empty seats. Not Anymore! Almost every Q & A had people standing because all the seats were taken.
My favorite Q & A was with the Hellraiser Reunion. All the Cenobite characters were Doug Bradley – Pinhead, Simon Bamford – Butterball, Barbie Wilde –Female Cenobite (Hellraiser 2), and Nicholas Vince – Chattering Cenobite.
What made it more enjoyable was listening to their English accents. They probably could have talked for two hours, and I still would have sat there mesmerized by their stories on set.
Conclusion
The organizers truly outdid themselves with the monstrous food options. From zombie-shaped cookies to vampire-inspired cocktails, every bite and sip added to the overall eerie atmosphere of the event. I even tried a “Creature Feature” hot dog that left me howling for more.
Monster Mania 2017 was a spine-chilling success, and I can’t wait to attend the next one. If you’re a fan of all things spooky, monstrous, and downright fun, mark your calendar for the next Monster Mania—it’s a must-attend event for every creature of the night! ⚰️??
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All in all, MMC is a great event, and I recommend you check it out for yourself.
